Egyptian hieroglyphics on the entrance of a 4000 year old tomb that was discovered by archaeologists in Abusir on the outskirts of the Egyptian capital, Cairo. Photo: AFP

"This discovery is important because this is the tomb of one of the greatest doctors from the time of the pyramid builders, one of the doctors closely tied to the king," Antiquities Minister Ibrahim Ali said in a statement.

Asfar said the area in which the grave was found appeared to be a family plot and the Czech team of archaeologists was now looking for mummies of relatives.

Abusir, a vast necropolis dating back to Egypt's Old Kingdom, houses the pyramids of several pharaohs of the Fifth Dynasty, which began its rule shortly after 2500 BC.